Tremolo



March 1 1927' F. H. NIEMANN TREMOLO g; I W

g sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 1925 March 1 1927. 1,619,532 F. H. NIEMANN TRBMOLO Filed Aug. 4, 1925 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 m ml] zlllilf Patented Mar. 1, 1927.

UNITED STATES FRANK H. NIEMAN N OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

TREMOLO.

Application filed August This invention relates to an improvement in tremolo mechanism for pipe organs which may be so constructed that its movements may be adjusted to any desired speed or beat, and a soft, flexible and uniform pulsation imparted to the tones of the organ pipes or reeds.

An object of the invention is to operate the tremolo pneumatic mechanism through a magnet under the control of the organist.

The invention consists of certain novel features of construction and combination of parts which will be hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Figure 1 is a View in side elevation of the tremolo box with one side removed to illustrate the arrangement of parts;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal vertical sectional view;

Figure 8 is an enlarged detail sectional view showing the mounting of the magnet a nd armature valve;

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail bottom plan view of the tremolo box;

Figure 5 is an enlarged detail view in side elevation showing in dotted lines the ducts or passages for conducting the air from one of the air chambers.

The tremolo box consists of a top 10, bottom 11, sides 12, and ends 13, 14:. The box may be connected to any of the sources of air supply of the organ such as the wind chestor wind trunk to the side 12, which is provided with an opening 15 for the purpose, so that air under pressure is delivered to the tremolo box at all times.

The box contains a pneumatic in the form of a bellows, comprising a central partition 17 mounted on the bottom 11 of the box and provided with a number of openings 18, 18 therethrough. Connected to the partition is a flexible material 19, such as rubber, cloth or leather, and to the ends of the flexible material are connected rigid blocks or disks 20, 20, constructed in accordance with the shape and formation of the pneumatic. The bellows is opened by springs 21, 21 interoosed between the partition 17 and end members or blocks 20. The outermost end member 20 has a valve 22 on the face thereof for closing the opening 23 of the end 13of the box. The opening 23 is an air outlet opening of suflicient size to reduce the pressure in the box, and when the valve 22 is actuated rapidly will cause a tremolo.

1925. Serial No. 48,113.

The partition 17 is provided with a passage forming an air duct 24 leading into the bellows, and communicates with a passage 25 formed in the bottom 11 of the box. The passage or duct 25 extends lengthwise of the bottom 11 of the box and communicates with the interior of the box by an opening 26. A plate 27 is applied to the bottom 11 of the box and forms a wall of the duct- 25, the plate being securely sealed to the bottom to prevent any escape of air. An opening 28 is formed in the plate 27 directly beneath the opening 26 so that these two openings are in alinement and are controlled by a single valve 29. By referring to Figure 4 of the drawing it will be seen that the duct 25 is larger at one end, or at the point of communication with the openings 26 and 28, and gradually tapers to its other end where it joins the duct 24.

Located within the box and preferably supported by the end wall la is a block 30 having a butter pad 31 at its outer end against which the end member 20 of the bellows may contact when the bellows is expanded. The block 30 is recessed on its lower surface, and the recess is covered by a flexible diaphragm 32 for forming an air chamber 33 in the block. Connected to the diaphragm 32 is a stem 34 to which the valve 29 is connected, and the actuation of the dia phragm by the pressure of air causes the valve to close one or the other of the openings 26 and 28. A port 35 is formed in the block 30 for admitting air to the air chamber 33.

The admission of air to the air chamber 33 through the port 35 is governed by a pivoted or swinging valve, consisting of an arm 36 pivoted at its center between two supporting rails 37, 37 mounted on the block 30. The arm 36 is provided with pads 38 on its under surface and at the ends thereof, one of which pads is seated over the port 35 when the valve or arm is rocked in one direction to prevent the ingress of air to the air chamber 33, while the other pad 38 acts as a cushion for the valve or arm 36 when swung in a contrary direction.

The valve arm 36 is actuated by a lever 39, having reduced upper end which fits in an opening formed in a bracket or bearing 40, secured to the inner face of the top 10 of the box. A spring 41 surrounds the reduced portion of the lever and has one end thereof engaging the bearing and the other end a engagement with the upper surface of the arm 36. A rod or wire 43 preferably screwthreaded throughout-its lengtln has one endthereof connected to the inner end member. '20 of the bellows and the other end extending through the end 14 of the box. The lever 39 is provided with a slot 44 through which the rod orwire 43 extends. Buttons 45, .45 having screw-threaded engagement with the rod- 43 are locatedon each side 01" the lever 39 forregulating the stroke of thelever. The position or adjustment. of thebuttons 45, and the distance they are spaced: apart controlling the frequencyof actuation of the valve or arm 36 for-opening and clos ing the port 35, and governing the beat or pulsation imparted by the operation of the valve 22.

The end 14 ofthebox is provided with-a recess on its outer face which is covered by a flexible diaphragm46 producing a second air chamber 47. Mounted over diaphragm end '14 is securely fastened'to the exterior wall oi the end member 14 and sealed thereto so that there is no escape of air between the-end14,

and plate 48.- The air from the air chamber 33 is delivered against theiouter face of the diaphragm through a duct 49 which extends through an end of t-heblock 30'and end 14 of the boX and thence upwardly through the plate 48.: An outlet duct-or passage50 .ex-

tends vertically from the bottom otthe'plate- 48 parallel withthe'duc't 49 and lea'dsto the diaphragm 46. The ducts 49 and 50 are' normally sealed against communicationby the diaphragm 46,,- and'it is only when the air chamber 47 is exhausted. of its air; that the airin the chamber 33 maybe delivered through the duct 49 against the diaphragm through the hollow sleeve 53 and allowv the The 46, causing the diaphragm to be'torcedainwardly and allowing the air so delivered to pass to the-atmosphere through :the duct 50.

Mountedfor the armature valve 54.- The valve cham-.

ber 52 has communication with-the tremolo box through a port or hole 55,-so that the air in the box may-enterthe valve chamber. 52 for causing the armature valve 54 to be SZltdr- Mounted upon the-.valve casing 51 and extending through holeor port 55 -IS a magnet '57 winch isadapted when energizedrto lift the armature valve '54 to permit the dischargeof airthroughthe sleeve 53 to the atmosphere.

The armature valve 56 has connected any acceptable the flexible and securing it in place on the a plate I 48, the :plate 48v being oncthe bottom 11 ofthe box is a valve casing .51 which is providediwith a thereto wires 57 and 58 which lead to a vits seat on the sleeve 53 in producing a tremolo action or for discontinuing such action. It is not considered necessary to illustrate the circuit leading from the magnet to the organ as this maybe accomplished in manner.

The valve, casing 51 has a passage; 60

therein which communicates with the valve chamber 52 and with a duct 61 which,ex-'

tends throughithe bottom 11 of the box and upwardly through the. end 14 of the box to the air chamber 47 The upper or inner surfaceof the valve casing 51 is provided with a screen 62 for covering the air passages from the boxv throughthe portor hole 55 and the duct 61' so that any foreign matter contained-inthe air leading to the air chamber 52willabc' interfering with;

prevented from adhering or the proper functioning of the valve 54;

A recess 63 is formed in the plate 48 for-= the reception of theouter end of-the wire or 1;

rod 43. A stop button 64 has screw-thread- ?ed engagement with the rod 43 which is adapted to engagelthe inner surface or wall of the end 14 to limitthe movement of the-- rod in a direction toward theend 14 o1":,the..;

box.

In the operation of the device air under.-

pressure is being constantly delivered to the box through the opening volo the stop or button on the organwould be operated by the orgamst causmgthe mag:

net 56 to be energized thereby.actuatingand lifting the armaturevalve 54 from its seat.

This movement of the valve'54 would open the passage or ducts 60, 61 to the-atmosphere-r air in the air chamber 47 vto'escapen releasing of the air in the .air. chamber 47 will permit the air in the air chamber 33,

assuming that the valve 36 is closing port 35 ofthe air chamber 33,: to pass througlrthe'i duct or passage39 of the diaphragm 46a and allow the air so delivered-to pass to the atmosphere 7 through the duct '50. i The? air in air chamber 33 having been exhausted,

the air pressure in the box will now act n on thedia brawn-32'causing valve stem= C d, 34 to be inovedupwardly and the'valve 29 to be moved from its scat over-the opening.

28 andclose the opening 26, thereby shut ting off the air supply throughithe passage i 25 and duct 24 to the'bellowso This movement of the valve29 opens'thepassage 25 to atmosphere throughathe opening 28 and escape to the atmosphere, thereby causing the bellows to collapse, assisted by the.- air allows the. air in the bellows to pressure in the box, and forcing the valve 22 off its seat, permitting the air in the box to escape through the opening 23 for producing the tremolo.

The collapsing of the bellows causes the rod 43 to be drawn forward, and this movement of the rod 43 causes the lever 39 to be drawn along the surtace of the arm 36 and rocking arm for the purpose of uncovering the port of the air chamber 33. Immediately upon opening the port 35 the air in the box enters chamber 33 causing the diaphragm 32 to unseat the valve 29 from opening 26 and forcing it downwardly closing opening 28 and forming a communication between the box and the passage 25 and duct 24 to the bellows through the opening 26. In this manner the bellows is again expended, causing valve 22 to be seated over the opening 23, and the rod 43 will be forced rearwardly carrying the lever 39 therewith and causing the arm 36 to be rocked in a contrary direction for closing the port 35. lVhen this occurs the air in the chamber 33 will again be conducted to the atmosphere through the ducts 49 and 50 and the valve 29 again operated by the diaphragm 32 for uncovering the opening 28 and closing the opening 26 when the bellows will again be collapsed and the valve 22 moved for per mitting the escape of air through the opening 23.

The rapidity of the action in causing the valve 22 to be seated and unseated is regulated by the positioning of the buttons 4-5 on the rod 43 and this adjustment naturally changes the beat and tremolo action which would be produced by the air escaping from the box through the opening 23.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. The combination of an organ tremolo box in which air under pressure is delivered, a pneumatic having a valve actuated thereby for discharging the air through an opening in said box, a valve controlling the admisson of air to and from said pneumatic for causing the pneumatic to be expanded and contracted and thereby operating the valve of the pneumatic in the discharge of the air from the tremolo box, and means actuated by the air in the box for operating the con trolling valve.

The combination of an organ tremolo box in which air under pressure is delivered, a pneumatic having a valve actuated thereby tor discharging the air through an opening in said box, a valve controlling the admis sion of air to and from the pneumatic for causing the pneumatic to be expanded and contracted and thereby operating the valve of the pneumatic in the discharge of the air from the tremolo box, means controlled by the air in the box for operating the controlling valve, and means actuated by the pneumatic and associated with said last mentioned means for governing the operation of said means in operating the controlling valve.

3. The combination of an organ tremolo box in which air under pressure is delivered, a pneumatic mechanism in said box including a bellows having a valve actuated thereby for the discharge of air through an opening in said box, a valve for controlling the admission of air to and from said bellows for causing the bellows to expand and contract in the discharge of air from the trem- 010 box, means controlled by the air in the box for operating the controlling valve, and a magnetic valve controlling the pneumatic mechanism.

4;. The combination of an organ tremolo box in which air under pressure is delivered, a pneumatic mechanism in said box including a bellows having a valve actuated thereby for the discharge of air through an opening in said box, a valve for controlling the admission of air to and from the bellows for causing the bellows to be expanded and contracted in the discharge of air from the tremolo box, means controlled by the air in the box for operating the controlling valve, means actuated by the bellows and associ ated with the said last mentioned means for governing the operation of said means in actuating the controlling valve, and a magnetic valve controlling the pneumatic mechanism.

The combination of an organ tremolo box, a pneumatic in said box, a valve for controlling the admission of air to and from said pneumatic, a magnetic valve at the tremolo box, means for operating the 111agnetic valve for causing the actuation of said controlling valve upon the opening of the magnetic valve and means controlled by the valve, sociated with said last mentioned means for governing the operation of said means in op erating the controlling valve for admitting air to and exhausting the air from said pneumatic.

6. The combination of an organ tremolo box in which air under pressure is delivered,

expanded located in the the controlling valve is connected, said air chamber having an intake port and an outlet duct, means actuated by the pneumatic for admitting air to the air chamber whereby the diaphragm will operate the controlling valve and allow the air in the box to enter the supply of air to the pneumatic and permit the air in the pneumatic to be discharged therefrom.

7 The combination-of an organ tremolo box in which air underpressure is delivered, a pneumatic controlling the discharge of air through an, opening in said box, means "for conducting air from the box tothe pneumatic and for discharging the air from the pneumatic to the atmosphere, a valve for controlling tllQ-ilCllDlSSlOD of airfrom the box to-said' means and the discharge of air from said means to the atmosphere, an air chamber located in the box and having a diaphragm, means for connecting the controlling valve to the diaphragm, said air chamber having an intake port and exhaust duct, a valve for controlling the supply of air to the air chamber through the port, meansactuated by the pneumatic for operating the valve for cutting off the supply of air to the air chamber whereby the diaphragm will be actuated by the airpressure in the box for causing the controlling valve to cut off the supply of air from the box to the pneumatic and permitting the exhausting of air from the pneumatic, and for actuating the valve wherebytheair Will beadmitted to the air chamber and acting upon the diaphragm for operating the control valve to admit air to the pneumatic and preventing the discharge of air to the atmosphere.

8. The combination-of an organ'tremolo box in which airunder pressure is delivered;

a pneumatic for controlling the discharge of air through anopening in'said box, a valve for controlling the admission of air to and from said pneumatic,an air chamber having a diaphragm'connected to the controlling valve for operating the same, sai-dair chaniber having anintake port and exhaust duct, means actuated by the pneumatic for controlling theadmission or" air to the air chamber for causingtheoperation of the control valve.

9. The combination of anorgan' tremolo box in which air under pressure is delivered,

a pneumatic for controlling the discharge of air through anopening in said box, a valve for controlling-the admission of air to'and from said pneumatic, an air chamber having a diaphragm connected to the controlling valve for operating the same, said air chamber having an intake port and'exhaust duct,

means actuated by the pneumatic for controlling the admissionof air to the air cham'- ber for causing the operation of the control valve, said box having a second air chain ber, a diaphragm for said air chainber,-means on said box adjacent said diaphragm'provided With a passage, leading to the diaphragm and exhaust duct ofthe first mentioned air chamber and having another passage for conducting the air to the atmosphere, a magnetic valve casing at the tremolo box having communication with the second air chamber, a. magnetic valve in the valve casing for controlling the discharge of air from said second air chamber.

FRANK H. NlEMA-NN. 

